The Wakaman People of Far North Queensland were formally granted Native Title rights by the Federal Court of Australia on Friday via a determination providing the right to access and care for country in accordance with traditional law, extending over 14,861 square kilometres of land in Chillagoe.

After a more than twenty-year fight for land rights, the Honourable Justice Collier presented recognition to the Wakaman people during a ceremonial on-Country sitting on Wakaman Country.

The Federal Court accepted and acknowledged the Wakaman People's proven, unbroken connection to more than 715,000 hectares of their traditional homelands.

Despite the devastating history of being removed from their land and restricted from practicing culture during the aggressive colonisation period, the Wakaman People have maintained a strong connection to their country.

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui noted that "Aboriginal people have inhabited this area of Queensland for over 25,000 year".

"It's been a long road for the Wakaman People to have their claims recognised and I hope the determination gives them a sense of peace," she said.

"Being able to maintain their traditional lands and ensure the cultural practices, skills and stories are passed onto the next generation is a wonderful thing."

Minister for Resources Scott Stewart said the recognition of native title is "a fundamental step in changing the relationship between the Queensland government and our First Nations communities".

"We are fortunate in Queensland to be home to two of the longest, continuing cultures in history, in the Aboriginal cultures and Torres Strait Islander cultures," he said.

Wakaman Native Title Consent Determination 18/08/2023, Justice Collier receiving a gift from Robyn Hooley on behalf of the Wakaman People. (Image: supplied)

Mungana Rock Art Site (Image: supplied)

Represented by the North Queensland Land Council, the applicants of the claim were Wakaman people Mr. John Alvoen, Mr. William Thomas, Ms. Robyn Hooley, Ms. Raelene Madigan and Ms. Carol Payne.

Justice Collier with Wakaman Applicants Carol Payne, John Alvoen, Robyn Hooley and William Thomas. (Image: Supplied)

Native Title holder Wakaman woman Robyn Hooley said the determination "means everything".

"It's been a long process. The sacrifice my family made and their contribution to getting recognition to country, it makes me feel very proud that we finally achieved a good outcome," she said.

Tommy's Waterhole on the Tate River. (Image: Supplied)

Wakaman man William (Billy) Thomas, who is now a Native Title holder, said: "We have been going back to country and teaching my children, nephews and grandchildren about country, about what's on the river and land."

"We teach them about hunting and fishing, showing country and sacred sites, like my mother did with me. We can continue doing this, that's why it means a lot to me," he said.

"The Tate River is special to me, as that's where my mother was born."

Maintaining their traditional lands ensures the Wakaman People can continue to pass these cultural practices, skills and stories onto to the younger generations.

The North Queensland Land Council declared the decision is welcomed and congratulated the Wakaman People on this momentous occasion.